With over 20 years of experience instructing a wide range of subjects and age groups, Christine Krommenhoek has much to offer students as she embarks on her first year as a teacher at the school.
Krommenhoek currently co-teaches three periods of College Preparatory Chemistry with Taylor Lowe, Brianna Howard and Charlene Nguyen. She also teaches one period of Team Assisted Individualization, where students work in smaller groups to become experts on more individualized tasks.
“I have taught a lot of English in middle school and a lot of Math in middle school, and then in high school, I have taught some earth science and English 11,” Krommenhoek said.
She received her master’s degree in special education and a teaching professional credential from Chapman University and has worked at Earl Warren Middle School, Carmel Valley Middle School and more recently at Pacific Trails Middle School.
“I just spent the last ten years at Pacific Trails and was one of the founding members there … so I’ve been there since it opened,” Krommenhoek said.
Krommenhoek feels she can support her students best when teaching small class sizes.
“I like co-teaching and I also like my smaller classes … [they] are more intimate and it’s easier to get to know my students,” Krommenhoek said.
She chose to move to TP because she was ready to immerse herself in a new environment and push herself as an educator.
“I was ready to do something that was different like taking on chemistry,” Krommenhoek said. “It was a subject I didn’t do very well in school but I’m ready to take on the challenge now … I know that I can teach it.”
Although moving to a new school environment can be filled with uncertainty. Krommenhoek has been greeted by a sea of familiar faces that make her feel right at home.
“This has actually been a very welcome experience, because I have a lot of my former students from Pacific Trails [here], so I’ve connected with a lot of former students that are now sophomores or juniors,” Krommenhoek said.
During these first few weeks, Krommenhoek has felt supported by both staff members and students.
“Staff have been really great at checking on me [and] making sure everything is going well,” Krommenhoek said. “The students have been really kind and helpful, which is a big difference between middle school [and high school]. I’ve had little acts of kindness … [students] actually want to help me figure [things] out.”
For Krommoenhoek, the school is special because it feels a lot like one big family. Family, specifically Krommenhoek’s sister, was what actually inspired her to take the role of a special education teacher. In her TAI class, students make sure they stay on top of assignments, check Aeries and play educational games. In chemistry, she’s there to support students while they do interactive labs or PhET Simulations.
“I just want students to be productive lifelong learners,” Krommenhoek said. “You’re allowed to make mistakes and you should learn from them … if you don’t, you’re going to learn again.”
When not inside the classroom, Krommenhoek can be found mountain bike riding, cruising around the beach, snowboarding and hiking. She recently got a new German Shepard puppy, and enjoys playing with her new furry friend in her free time.
Krommenhoek wants each and every student to know if they need anything, they can come to her room and she will try her best to find ways to support them.
“It wouldn’t matter if they were one of my students or not,” Krommenhoek said. “I will find something and make sure to get them what they need at that particular moment.”
When groups of students come into her room at lunch, Krommenhoek greets them with a smile. Something she looks forward to this year is connecting with more students and enjoying her time on campus.
“I am just excited to enjoy all the [experiences] high school has to offer [in comparison] to middle school,” Krommenhoek said.
